Are Leather Belts Worth the Price?

Belts are the perfect accessory to top off almost any outfit, but they can be expensive when you’re looking at quality leather belts. Are they really worth the price you could be paying for them, or should you be looking at cheaper alternatives? Let’s take a look.

How long does a genuine leather belt last?

When it comes to quality, genuine leather, your belts have a very long shelf life. Anywhere from 5-10 years is completely normal for a good leather belt, but they can even go beyond this if you take good care of them. So, although you might cringe at forking over $50 or more for a basic leather belt, it’s certainly not so bad when you imagine getting use out of it for 10 years.

Of course, how long your leather belt lasts can depend on how often you wear it, how you store it, and more. A belt you wear every day is likely to fade and weaken quicker than one you only wear every now and again, but it should still last you at least 3-5 years if it is a good quality material.

How to make your belt last longer

If you take proper care of your leather belt, then you can help to increase its shelf life. Moisture is bad for the health of the leather, so try to always store your belt in a dry environment with low humidity. Avoid getting your belt wet, and make sure you leave it out to dry before wearing it or putting it away if this does happen. You should still clean your belt on occasion, however, but make sure you don’t use an excessive amount of water when doing so. Simply wipe down your belt with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt.

What about the alternatives?

There are, of course, cheaper alternatives out there to genuine leather belts. Here are a few examples:

PU leather

Bonded leather

Faux leather

Canvas

Suede

While you can find belts of these materials at lower prices in most cases, they are unlikely to have the same durability as genuine leather. Then you have to consider the appearance you’re going for. Some of them imitate the look of real leather, while others have a completely different style. Even more materials are being experimented with when it comes to making belts, with a variety of belt alternatives approved by vegans.

If your main priorities are the quality look and feel of your belt as well as how long it will last you, then genuine leather is your best option. You can browse our range of leather belts and ladies belts to see the quality of our American made leather for yourself, with lots of customization options available for personalized gifts.